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Published: July 31st 2013
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Day 10 - Going rural
Cynthia, Abbie, Gloria had a late night making sense of 'stuff' for a couple of hours! ..... And Abbie was only looking for her glasses! We had a lie in
this morning - 9am. All shifted and sorted by 10.30, then out into 3 mini buses to head for Quinling mountain. This mountain is an important point in China as it continues from Tibet plateau and divides north from south China. This is also a huge cultural divide of the way the two ranges of people live. We are staying in a rural farm.
The bus journey was like a series from Truckers! We drove to nearly 1500k high. It was narrow wining roads with lots of beeping and braking! ... But the driver seemed very confident!.... And we arrived safely. On arrival we had lunch, which was prepared by Ayi (Aunty) which is what we call the lady who lives and runs the farm. She is a highly respected lady in this area. Lunch consisted of about six different dishes. All home grown organic vegetables....... And rabbit! Yes, I managed my first taste of rabbit!
After lunch, we went off to swim in a local
river. We walked down hill for about an hour. The sun was beating down all the way down the hill. The scenery around here is amazing! It is so calm and relaxed......apart from the continuous 'fly' dancing which everyone is participating in... Lol We arrived at the river which was so enticing. We had to climb down from the road onto a ladder to get down to the bank. It was very cold, but oh so welcome. It had some really quick, strong rapids. Everyone swam. There were also plenty of Chinese people there too. One of the big rocks was used as a slide.
We stayed for a couple of hours. I, and a few others, were dreading the return uphill climb. We were so pleased when Monica gave us the excellent news that we could get the minibus back for 8 yuen. I would have gladly paid 80! When we got back, a few of us did half an hour of yoga. It felt so good to stretch again! We then had a bit of quiet time - fly dancing- playing cards etc. the horse flies are huge, and a right nuisance. We had our second Chinese
lesson, then a calligraphy lesson. It was good, but it was spoilt because of the flies.... I was too busy swatting to be able to take notice! After the lessons we had dinner. It was very similar to lunch; equally nice.
Tonight we played drinking games, and team games. I enjoyed it. At points, we were all in stitches! Later, Ayi came out and sat with us. She lived looking at the photos on the iPad and chatting. She struggled with the fact that we could not understand her. She was lovely. She made us really welcome. It is now
10pm, I'm knackered so going to bed. The games are continuing in the other room. We have a 4.35 start in the morning!
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hey mum, aww it looks soo beautiful, I imagine it to be really calm & tranquil. great that uve done some yoga - what was it like?? where did u do it? - cant wait to hear about it. Ings was great last night - I told everyone about the studio but said I was keeping the class at Ings going and they were really happy :) xxx I miss u sitting at the front, grimacing while holding ur leg up past ur head :( xxx its Thursday here- but Friday for me coz im off tomorrow -whooopppppie me and am's are setting off in morning up to slaley hall for the retreat! yikes im so excited I cant wait xxx Keep the pics coming - it looks soo nice - especially the river - and u look so slim xx love u loads xxxxx